Do we really have just one more day of summer? Is it reasonable to assume that Labor Day automatically brings autumn to us? If you live in the southern half of the USA, you are probably like me, and scoff at such nonsense. Yesterday I passed through the Piedmont of North Carolina, within sight of Pilot Mountain, seen above, and I can tell you that the 91* of yesterday does not automatically disappear just because tomorrow is the first Monday of September.

I keep a pile of photos just so every other Sunday morning I can go through them to find one to illustrate the Vintage Miscellany. Not only did I see Pilot Mountain yesterday, but a book I’m reading mentioned it as well. The book is The Road to Salem, by the great Moravian historian and archivist, Adelaide Fries. Ms. Fries made it her life’s work to gather (and transcribe, as most of the works were in German) the many records of the Moravians. It is because of her work that so much is known about the early history of the Carolina backwoods.

And now for the news…

You don’t live in a vacuum, so you know that Aretha Franklin has died. Of all the millions of words written about Franklin over the past weeks, none are better than Robin Givhan’s.

Marilyn Kirschner has written an in-depth report on the just released Bill Cunningham memoir.

The Abraham Lincoln Library Foundation is in financial trouble and made be forced to sell part of their collection.

The Art of the Late Bloomer, 18th century paper artist Mary Delany proved life begins whenever you want it to.

There was a time when “made in China” did not mean “goods produced cheaply”. Can the Chinese silk industry recapture that luster?

A textile stitched by recovering WWI British soldiers was found in a couple’s home, and they have no idea how it arrived there. Big credit to the couple for doing such careful research on the piece.

Is the Chinese government quietly stealing back art and antiquities stolen from China? It’s a fascinating theory.

One thing is certain, the white tennis dress is dead (except at Wimbledon of course) and many clubs no longer have a dress code. It was a bit shocking when the French banned Serena William’s so-called catsuit from being worn in the future, saying that it was disrespectful. I’m not buying it, and Serena herself pretty much stayed out of the talk, talk, talk, and went on to completely slay with her tutu-inspired dress at the US Open.

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8 responses to “Vintage Miscellany – September 2, 2018”

As usual a wonder group of electric topics. I was pleasantly surprised that “cool” led to an article about Birks. I have a friend who wears them 10 out of 12 months here. I had a pair once upon a time but just didn’t really get into them- guess I just wasn’t a big enough sock knitter!

Yep. There’s a cold wave right now in my area – 79 degrees.
What an interesting and sad article about the Lincoln library. I don’t personally know any wealthy philanthropists, but may be worth looking at the GoFundMe campaign, or share the story.

The Pilot Mountain photo reminds me of High Rock / Buena Vista / Blue Ridge Summit views and altitude are the same breathtakingly beautiful. And some of our old photos are similar. As for Ms. Givhan – my opinion of her will never change, One of the responses to her article sums up her push and lack of professional responsibility to report not preach / shove personal opinion down the public’s throats. She followed a real fashion expert ( Nina Hyde) at The Post. Nina was a close friend and professional friend which has nothing to do with my opinion .I agree the articles about Franklin were good – Her personal view re: fur are not news – we all got it years ago. Another example of her “style” / or cellophane lack thereof .We really grew tired of this in Washington We did not require a self made / entitled fashion “critic”. We needed a pro with tenure and talent .The spotlight is a crowded intersection.

Regardless of her abilities as a fashion reporter, she did a great job of explaining the significance of Franklin’s furs. We all, especially women who did not grow up with the phenomenon of Aretha, and especially white women, need to be told why her work was so important. The tossing of the coat reminded us of not just her value as a woman, but of the potential of us all. Not that the gesture would work for me, but then, I’m not a star!